Doorman cleared of assault
Leicester Crown Court has cleared a doorman of grievous bodily harm after an incident that left a man with permanent brain damage.
The defence successfully argued that doorman, Christopher Wake, had punched 39-year-old Kevin Marsh, of Bolton, in self defence during an argument outside the Lloyds No 1 bar in Leicester, last June. The court heard how Marsh was thrown out of the bar after drinking heavily. When he attempted to re-enter the venue he was challenged by Wake. The doorman, fearing an attack from Marsh, punched the customer. Marsh hit the ground with such force that he was left with severe head injuries. Marsh was absent from the trial as he has no memory of the night's events following an operation to remove part of his brain.
Gang of youths target gothic nights. A gang of teenagers launched a terrifying attack on customers at a Norwich pub. Licensee Dawn Clarke described how a group of 40 youths ransacked the Catherine Wheel pub on 12 March in an attempt to disrupt the "gothic nights" being held at the venue. The landlady said teenage yobs, branding themselves the "above the law" gang, attacked gothic customers, smashed furniture and stole £1,587 from the pub. "We were stormed by 30 to 40 of them aged between 13 and 17," she said. "They hit the pub like screaming banshees." Norwich police were called to the pub but the gang had dispersed and no arrests were made. Punter barred from pubs for 10 years
A man has been banned from entering any pub in West Yorkshire for a decade. Leeds magistrates imposed the 10-year anti-social behaviour order on 39-year-old Colin Ogley of Leeds after hearing how he carried out a string of alcohol-fuelled offences for more than 13 years. He was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from his parent's house in Seacroft. Ogley, who was said to have a drinking problem, was accused of terrorising staff and customers at local pubs. Barbara Forrest, landlady at the Lion & Lamb in Seacroft, said: "I'm glad that he's barred. He shouts. He spits. He even tried to set the curtains on fire. When they [customers] see him they leg it. It has gone on for four years." The prosecution argued that the 10-year ban was necessary as Oglie refused to give up his drinking.
Cigarette machine theft sparks plea. Jersey police want to hear from smokers who are offered cheap cigarettes after two dispensers were stolen from a local pub. People offered cheap Silk Cut or Benson & Hedges-brand cigarettes are urged to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Two red and grey cigarette machines were stolen from the Bouley Bay Inn on Friday 26 March, and police believe the thieves will try to sell the goods to smokers on the Channel Island. Officers say it would have taken at least two people to carry the 5ft-tall machines.
Search for thugs who attacked man A 52-year-old man was severely beaten just moments after leaving a north London pub last Monday. He was attacked by four men armed with large sticks as he left Leitrim Inn in Bowes Road. He was taken to a north London hospital with serious head injuries and puncture wounds to his upper body and is said to be in a stable condition following surgery. Police are hunting four men in their mid-20s who are believed to be of eastern European appearance. Officers have appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to contact the incident room on 020 8345 4563 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
